Planning a Prescribed Burn

Planning a prescribed burn should be done well in advance of the actual burn. Planning a year in advance is not unusual. You must plan your grazing management to obtain a density of fine fuel to achieve your goal for either brush control, nutritional enhancement or habitat manipulation. You may have to remove grazing animals from the pasture for some time in order to grow enough grass for a burn. If it is an exceptional forage production year, you may get some grazing during a portion of the year prior to the burn. You must also plan the actual burn well in advance. Planning is everything. Bladed lines to mineral soil (to the dirt) at least 12’ wide and double bladed lines 100 to 300’ apart is even safer. You will need to line up equipment, assistance and develop a well-thought out plan to achieve your goals safely and effectively.